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Former choir parapro sentenced

A former choir paraprofessional for the Mona Shores School District, charged with inappropriately touching boys, has been sent to prison.

Becky Vargo

Muskegon

Oct 10, 2012

Michael Roy D’Oyly, 55, sat quietly while his sentence was handed down Tuesday afternoon in Muskegon County Circuit Court. Judge William Marietti sentenced the Fruitport man from 29 months to 15 years in prison.

D'Oyly pleaded no contest in August to two charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He had since been free on bond, but was taken to jail immediately after the sentencing — with only a quick look back at the courtroom before heading out the door.

Prior to his client's sentencing, defense attorney Phil Iorio tried to convince the judge to go easy on D'Oyly. Iorio stressed that D’Oyly had entered the no-contest plea “to avoid any additional pain and suffering” to the victims and their families.

“My client also wants to express remorse and regret,” the attorney said.

Iorio noted that the court had received several letters in support of D’Oyly. The letters described the man as “dedicated and caring,” Iorio said.

Marietti said it was difficult to have to sentence someone who had so much support in the community. He also said it was evident that the majority of those supporters were not familiar with the facts of the case.

“But I am,” the judge said before imposing the sentence.

The charges involve teenage boys who had been in the choir program at Mona Shores High School. They testified that D’Oyly touched them in the groin and buttocks area over their clothes.

Soon after the school district received complaints about D'Oyly in late December 2011, police were called and D’Oyly was suspended. He was later fired.

Originally from the Grand Haven area, D’Oyly was also a part-time organist for First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven. He was also dismissed from that job after being charged with the sex crime.

To read more of this story, see today’s print or e-edition of the Grand Haven Tribune.